Clubs drawn to play twice in five days... in two different cup ties
STUNNED Lesmahagow boss Robert Irving watched on as his Lanarkshire squad were drawn against Auchinleck Talbot in the Scottish Third Round – the team they play this weekend.
The Gow will battle the Ayrshire giants – current Macron Scottish Cup holders – on Sunday in the early season Sectional League Cup Final at Newlandsfield (Kickoff 1.30pm).
“Myself and a couple of friends were watching the draw coming through on Twitter and I had pointed out that quirks of coincidence has often seen pairings between teams that are already scheduled to play each other.
“But I was thinking more of us landing a Muirkirk or an Annbank United whom we play in league games either side of the Scottish Cup weekend.
“However, I had more or less resigned myself to getting them [Auchinleck Talbot] as the draw was whittled down to the very last handful of ties but for the two of us.
“To be the last clubs out of the hat is unbelievable.”
Cumnock arguably landed the tie of the round with an all-Premiership clash away to Pollok. The clubs will meet again just seven days later for a league game.
Meanwhile last season’s beaten finalists Hurlford United were paired at home with East Region outfit Broughty Athletic,who were 4-0 winners over Benburb in the last round.
Another five top-flight clubs were favoured with home advantage. However, Cambuslang Rangers and 2017 trophy winners Glenafton were pitted away to North Region opponents and Clydebank are on the road to face Kinnoul.